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Google Maps' self promotion pays off
Google has been promoting Google Maps on search results pages, and according to Hitwise, their promotion is paying off. As a result, Google Maps has seen a sizeable increase in their traffic in the last year. If you were to search for an address on Google before last January, you would have seen map links for Yahoo, MapQuest, and Google Maps. Now, you only see a link for Google Maps.
Additionally, if you search for "map quest" or "mapquests", you'll see a Google Maps advertisement next to the search result. The number of searches resulting in a visit to Google Maps recently tripled. According to hitwise, on the week ending January 6, 2007, 0.22% of searches resulted in traffic going to Google Maps, versus 0.67% during the same week this year.
In our non-scientific observation, most younger people are using Google Maps and MapQuest is utilized by old timers who've been using it for years.
Which online mapping system do you use? We look forward to seeing opinions in the comments from yougin's and geriatrics alike.
Comments
15
Subscribe to commentsTony2XApr 10th 2008 1:06PM
maps.live.com for me. I like the UI of Google Maps but prefer the pushpin and directions service of maps.live.com. I also find the Google Street View service a little un-nerving.
rudeleriusJan 15th 2008 8:18AM
I like Windows Live Local for the ability to create pushpins. Maybe this is a feature of other map sites that I just haven't found, but I have found it useful
ryanincJan 15th 2008 8:35AM
I use Google Maps, all the way. It's the only service I've found that will literally take any kind of input. I cut and paste addresses from different websites and Google is often the only one that will understand it. Also, I've tested it, and Google is the only map service that will understand coordinates cut and pasted from Geocaching.com. That's huge, for me.
S.K.Jan 15th 2008 11:44AM
I use multiple websites. For a while I lived on a road that just wasn't recognized by Google (though all I had to do was use the road literally right around the corner for mapping purposes), so for the most part when online I utilized various map searches. However, I found the ability to text Google for directions to be quite invaluable. I'm sure there are other websites that can do this as well, but Google was the first I found. Seeing how I don't have a smartphone or GPS device of any sort, Google Maps is my go-to for on-the-road maps and directions.
albiJan 15th 2008 9:10AM
google maps isn't always the best with it's satellite images. Yahoo maps have much better quality Sherbrooke images than gmaps.
JayMonsterJan 15th 2008 9:13AM
I didn't realize this was something "new" I have used this "feature" for some time to get results and a link to Google Maps at the same time.
People still use Mapquest? I am one of those geriatric types (42), but I gave up on Mapquest a LOOONG time ago.
David L. CrooksJan 15th 2008 9:19AM
I have found maps.live.com to have more current satellite images. I think Google is better at directions (since Live screwed me once) and I like the feature to change the route.
DaveJan 15th 2008 9:41AM
I use Yahoo maps, I guess I am in the minority, I find the interface way more intuitive than google's.
Xtopher RobinJan 15th 2008 9:43AM
I gave up on Mapquest years ago when it tried to send me to the other side of Atlanta and then back down side streets to literally get me about 10 miles from my house. It said it was a 3 HOUR trip! Like I've always said, they should call it "mapQUEST" since the "quest" is a much bigger part of it!
JasonJan 15th 2008 10:00AM
Ok, so Microsoft gets their butts sued off for bundling software with Windows, but this is ok? I guess Google can do no wrong.
I like Google Maps as much as the next guy, but they are starting to be very hypocritical since they are often pointing the finger at Microsoft.
PeterJan 15th 2008 10:54AM
I used Mapquest faithfully until Google maps came out and you could drag the map around. Mapquest couldn't do that at the time. I switched to Google maps and never looked back. The interface and usability is much better. And since everyone gets the same map data from Navtech, the accuracy of all the services is the same.
DrewJan 15th 2008 11:56AM
Google Maps is the best!
True dat!
Double true!
RobJan 15th 2008 2:07PM
+1 Google Maps.
Call it brand loyalty or whatever, but yahoo, mapquest or live.maps just don't have anything to offer me. Google does maps, and does them well.
...and FWIW, I'm 31.
KevinJan 15th 2008 4:13PM
Yeah I don't get why anyone would use MapQuest. Even before Google Maps was around I was using Yahoo Maps. Now it's strictly Google. There's no fat...straight to the point directions.
Plus I love the fact that you can now drag the route onto the highway you want to use in case a toll road is suggested. That was one major sticking point with me since there are a lot of toll roads near me and there was no way previously to avoid them.
And no MapQuest, I DON'T need to know the locations all the Denny's and Holiday Inns on the way to my friend's new place 20 miles away. Good riddance.
ScottJan 15th 2008 6:33PM
I used to use MapQuest, but I've since drunk the proverbial Google kool-aid and am all out Google Maps. I'm trying to convert my wife. We are both 30 somethings.